The National tribune., 1887-07-21
WHY WE SHOULD HAVE A GREAT RE



The most powerful reason in influencing
The selection Of ST. Louis as the place for
holding the 2lst National Encampment
was that il would be more convenient for
the meeting Of greater number Of ex-sol-
diers than any other great city.
The main reason for holding the Encamp-
ment at Portland, Me, in 1885, was to give
a chance 10 the New England comrades who
had emigrated into the Interior a chance
10 revisit their old homes and comrades.
For n similar reason the Encampment last
year was held at San Francisco TO give the
comrades who had settled on The Pacific
Coast an opportunity TO meet with repre-
sentatives OF their old regiments, bTigades,
corps and armies
Both these gatherings were eminenty sue
eessful in attaining these purposes, and af-
forded immeasurable qualification to many
thousands. The only drawback was the
considerable expense and the time required
by these long journeys. Though the rail-
roads were very liberal and put the rates
unprecedentedly low, and the California
hotel keepers and others were equally gen.
er0us, the expenses Of the trip 10 San Fran
cisco were on an average nearly 5000. The
time required was nearly a month. This
was much more than the majority Of the
comrades could afford.
ST. Louis was then chosen, as being the
nearest the center Of population ofany great
city, except Cincinnati, and being nearer the
center Of the ex-soldier population Of any
city.
AT least one-half If not two-thirds, Of the
survivors Of the men who rallied around
the Gag in 18Gl-65, live within less than "a
hours ride Of ST. Louis.
Immediately upon the close of the wsr
there was a great exodus TO the Interior of
the country Of young men who had served
in regiments raised east Of the Allegany
Mountains. This was not confined TO far
mers who found the cheap and fertile lands
OF Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Ne
hraska, Kansas and Dakota more inviting
than the less generous soil upon which they
were born, but there went with them me-
chanics, merchants, lawyers, doctors, rail-
road men, etc, who found their places at
home filed up during their years Of absence,
while The Interior afforded opportunities for
an even start in life
The result is that more than half Of many
Eastern regiments are now living west and
north Of the Ohio River, while there is not
single New England, New York, New Jer-
sey, Pennsylvania, Delaware or Maryland
regiment but has many members in that
section.
A large proportion Of these have not seen
a member Of their regiments since they were
mustered out They have not even seen
those who live in the same State with them,
as there have been few if any opportunities
for those living hundreds Of miles apart TO
come together. For example, ii is easier
! for the members Of say the 14th Brooklyn
who live in the different parts Of Kansas to
come together in ST. Louis than il would be
for them TO meet at any point within the
State. Then, too, by going TO ST. Louis they
viii meet many of those who belonged 10
other regiments in the same brigade, division
or CORPS and who are almost as dear TO them
as the comrades Of their own regiment
This is a chance that may not come 10 them
again for many years-a chance that will
really never come again-for many Of those
who might meet this year will be finally
mustered-out before another National En-.
campment
The first thing 10 do now is for every vet
eran TO resolve TO 20 to ST. Louis. The mex
thing is TO announce this intention through
THE NATIoEAL TRIBUNE, and call upon al
of the regiment TO meet in St Louis for {
grand Reunion. Let place in that city bl
designated as the meeting-place Of the regi
ment, and announced through our columns
In this way il will reach every soldier in th'
country, and arouse an interest that will d.
much toward bringing out the biggest gath
ering OF soldiers the country has seen sine
the grand review in Washington.
This matter ought TO he attended TO a
once. twill not do to wait and consult lie
some man in every regiment take the initia
tive without delay, and call upon his com
rades TO meet him in ST. Louis. The begin
ming at once is Of great importance. Let u
have a lot OF these announcements for mex
weeks NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
/ --S
HERES A "REAsON."